Press Releases

Professional Staff Congress of CUNY (PSC CUNY) has joined a growing list of endorsers backing Ben Kallos for City Council in CD5 (the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island). Kallos' campaign has picked up crucial education and community endorsements in the past month.

In Manhattan City Council District 5, Citizens Union prefers Ben Kallos over Micah Kellner and Ed Hertzog. Citizens Union is deeply concerned with the sexual harassment allegations surrounding Kellner’s tenure in the State Assembly and believes that Kallos will be a strong voice for reform in the City Council.

Citizen Action of New York has endorsed Ben Kallos for New York City’s Fifth Council District. “Ben Kallos is a progressive with a history of delivering results,” said Té Revesz, Board Chair of the New York City chapter of Citizen Action of New York. “We’re impressed by his strong experience, from helping pass legislation in the State Assembly to achieving reform as the head of Effective New York.”

The Progressive Caucus Alliance announced its endorsement of Ben Kallos for the 5th Council District in Manhattan. Kallos is the tenth candidate the members of the New York City Council Progressive Caucus have endorsed as a part of their effort to support progressives running for open City Council seats in 2013.

Ben Kallos is a third generation Upper East Sider. Born and raised in the neighborhood, he attended New York public schools and went on to become Executive Director of a leading good government group, a public interest lawyer, an entrepreneur and former Chief of Staff to a local Assembly Member. His focus on progressive policy solutions, combined with his depth of experience in the public sector, makes him a natural choice for the endorsement of the Progressive Caucus Alliance.

City Council candidate Ben Kallos today released a policy book containing goals and areas of policy support in advance of the City Council Primary in Manhattan's District 5 (the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island). The book contains a vision for a more accountable and equitable local government, as well as steps he would take in the City Council to work towards such results for District 5 and citywide.

The 504 Democratic Club is a New York City-based coalition of Democrats working towards inclusion of people with disabilities in the political and social fabric of society. Club members hail from all five boroughs.“The members of the 504 Democratic Club were blown away by Ben's knowledge of the intricacies of disability issues. While many stalwarts expected to endorse his opponent due to having a disability himself, it was clear that Ben was far and away the best candidate to represent the disability community. Sometimes, understanding and experience trumps identity politics, and it was clear that the club almost unanimously changed their preconceived support upon hearing Ben's presentation,” said Dodge Landesman of the 504 Democratic Club. Kallos has been an advocate for special needs while supporting his mother in her battle against Parkinson's disease, and social services and public health are priorities in his campaign platform.

After rescinding the endorsement, the union’s Executive Board voted unanimously to support Ben Kallos, a lawyer and noted Democratic activist, for the Council seat from the 5th District, which includes Manhattan’s Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island. That seat is held by Jessica Lappin, who 32BJ has endorsed for Manhattan Borough President.

City Council Candidate Ben Kallos today released a 5-point plan to improve quality of life for residents living along the construction of the Second Avenue subway slated for construction completion in 2016. The plan includes a website application built by Kallos that allows residents to suggest areas for improved lighting in addition to seeing, voting, and commenting on poorly lit spaces submitted by others.

Today, the Sierra Club (National), including the Atlantic Chapter (NY State) and the NYC Group, announced its endorsement of Ben Kallos in the election for City Council in the 5th District (Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island) for his commitment to environmentalism.